A. Apsley Road and Upland Park

25 Nov

General Overview

These two cul-de-sacs are lined with well-maintained high end housing. In Apsley Road almost all the houses are of the same standard 1930s design. The houses along Upland Park are even larger and of various designs, maintaining a traditionally romantic image.

At the Banbury end of Apsley road there is a large new development based around Summertown House, a substantial Victorian villa.

Both roads are lined with majestic trees some of them pre-dating the houses. Due to the low density of the houses there is no need for front garden parking, and this enhances the green space value of these roads.

Most of the houses have been extended but have maintained their original character. However, especially along Upland Park, there are four or five newly-built houses. These are designed in similar style to the original houses but lack their finesse and delicate detailing. In contrast, the modern building on the corner of Banbury Road and Upland Park demonstrates that, while respecting existing style, an impressive new development is possible.

History

Summertown House is the historic focal point of this area and there is a strong sense that this house has always dominated the area and should continue to do so.

A good number of magnificent old trees reference the rural history of this area. Summertown St Margaret’s Neighbourhood Plan Dec 2016 Page 54

Assets

– An elegant pair of Summertown streets, which have an individual character within the area.
– The fact that these two streets are cul-de-sacs gives them a special attraction.
– The Summertown House building, owned by the University, is a good example of a new development which still ‘fits in’. This is to be encouraged.

Guidelines for new development

– These are streets where infill housing should be of a very high standard with serious attention to detail, but there are still opportunities to do something special.
– Street furniture and front garden fencing should be looked after carefully, especially because this area does not suffer from front garden parking and so has retained much of its original character.